S. Korea to Provide Information Services on Electromagnetic WavesAnyone can file a request with the National Radio Research Agency online to measure the level of electromagnetic waves on any product or facility of choice. (image: Korea Bizwire)

SEOUL, Feb. 18, 2019 (Korea Bizwire) — The South Korean government has decided to measure the levels of electromagnetic waves generated by portable fans and electronic cigarettes and disclose the results.

The decision comes at a point where consumers have been facing constant difficulties accessing information about the level of electromagnetic waves being generated by these products.The government also plans to measure the levels of electromagnetic waves at childcare facilities, kindergartens, airports, subway stations, and amusement parks.

South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT announced on Sunday that the measurements of electromagnetic waves will be made public on Monday.

Anyone can file a request with the National Radio Research Agency online (www.rra.go.kr/emf) to measure the level of electromagnetic waves on any product or facility of choice.

The agency will also be responsible for conducting periodic measurements on the list of products selected by a special committee where a number of consumer agencies participate as members.

The ministry will also come up with stricter standards for testing the quality of a variety of devices designed to shield electromagnetic waves, and sue companies that exploit anxiety about electromagnetic waves to sell products with false or exaggerated features, via the Fair Trade Commission.

Starting in April, the ministry will conduct measurements of electromagnetic waves at daycare services, kindergartens, and elementary schools that have applied for the initiative and provide recommendations on how to reduce the wave levels.

The ministry will also measure electromagnetic radiation at airports, subway stations, amusement parks, and factories.

The ministry plans to establish a new agency that will serve as a control tower for electromagnetic safety, and lend portable measuring devices to the public for variety of purposes.

“We hope the new initiative can resolve public anxiety surrounding electromagnetic waves, and create a safer environment for all,” said Park Yoon-kyu, director of the Wave Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT.

Keep your phone away from your body. Keeping your phone just a few feet away from you can make a bigdifference.•When you talk on your cell phone, avoid holding it to your head—use the speakerphone or a headset instead. Wireless (Bluetooth) and wired headsets emit much less RF energy than cell phones.•Send text messages instead of talking on the phone.•If you are streaming or if you are downloading or sending large files, try to keep the phone away from your head and body.•Carry your cell phone in a backpack, briefcase, or purse; NOT in a pocket, bra or belt holster. Because your phone’s antenna tries to stay connected with a cell tower whenever it’s on, it emits some RF energy even when you are not using it. It does not emit RF energy when it’s in airplane mode. (Airplane mode turns off cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.)Reduce or avoid using your cell phone when it is sending out high levels of RF energy.This happens mainly when:•You see only one or two bars displayed. Cell phones put out more RF energy to connect with celltowers when the signal is weak. If you must use your phone when the signal is weak, try to follow the other guidance on this page.•You are in a fast-moving car, bus, or train. Your phone puts out more RF energy to maintain connections to avoid dropping calls as it switches connections from one cell tower to the next unless it is in airplane mode.•You are streaming audio or video, or downloading or sending large files. To watch movies or listen to playlists on your phone, download them first, then switch to airplane mode while you watch or listen

Don’t sleep with your phone in your bed or near your head. Unless the phone is off or in airplane mode, keep it at least a few feet away from your bed.Take off the headset when you’re not on a call. Headsets release small amounts of RF energy even when you are not using your phone.

Don’t rely on a “radiation shield” or other products claiming to block RF energy, electromagnetic fields, or radiation from cell phones. According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, products thatinterfere with the phone’s signal may force it to work harder and emit more RF energy in order to stayconnected, possibly increasing your exposure

Teton Village, WY -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/03/2018 -- A new research paper to be published in the journal Environmental Researchtoday by California Department of Public Health (CDPH) research scientists finds that using cell phones used in areas of weak reception can result in microwave radiation emissions 10,000-fold more intense than in areas with strong network signals. In "Real World Cellular Phone Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure," the scientists tested the microwave radiofrequency radiation levels from almost two dozen different cell phones in "real-world" situations to understand the difference in cell phone radiation exposures people can get in different situations. The paper concludes with "straightforward" recommendations that the public avoid using cell phones when signals are weak, and also recommends that people should limit overall cell phone exposure by using speakerphone, choosing texting rather than voice calls and distancing the phone away from the body, even in areas with strong network signals.

The authors state that "precautionary use of cell phones could lessen a user's radiofrequency EMF exposure by a factor of up to 10,000."

In the study funded by the California Department of Health, the research team conducted measurements of the power density exposures of the radiofrequency radiation generated from 22 different cell phone models for calls received under both strong (three or four bars) and weak (one or two bars) reception signal conditions. The researchers tested the radiation directly near the phone and also at several distances away from the phone up to 18 inches (48 cm). They also measured radiation levels from wireless headpieces and discussed relevant scientific research on health effects from phone radiation that informed their study.

The study finds that:

Microwave exposures depend not only on the distance from the user that phones are held but also the strength of the signal.

Cell phones used in areas of weak reception can result in microwave radiation emissions 10,000-fold more intense than in areas with strong network signals.

When used with a weak signal (1 to 2 bars), radiation exposures from all phones were higher intensity by up to four orders of magnitude in comparison to exposures from a strong signal (4 to 5 display bars).Even at distances of more than a foot and half (48 cm), microwave radiation was much higher intensity when signal reception was weak when compared with closer distances in areas with strong signals (2 inches, 4 cm).

Headset measurements were 10 to 400 times lower than near-ear measurements of the phones to which they were connected but nonetheless the authors still recommend removing the wireless headset from the ear when not in use and reducing overall talk and listening times.

Recent studies indicate that the RF EMF [radiofrequency electromagnetic field] exposures from cellular phones can have a negative impact on animal cells and cognitive and/or behavior development in children. Case-controlled epidemiologic studies have found evidence for increased risk for glioma and localization of the glioma associated with the consistent exposure site of regular mobile phone use.

Recent research indicates that equivalent exposures result in proportionally higher cell phone radiation deposition into children when compared to adults.

Even though texting increases the distance between the brain and the cell phone, phones are still held close to the body for hours a day. This can create a different exposure that "may cause unknown effects to other organ systems."

Future research should consider exposures of children and adults who are in close proximity to persons who are using a cell phone, requiring RF measurements from the back and sides of the cell phone.

The public should follow the CDPH cell phone radiation guidance which tells all persons not to keep phones in the pocket and also includes other practical steps to reduce exposure to radiofrequency radiation.

Precautionary use of cell phones such as speakerphone and maintaining a distance between the phone and the body could lessen a user's radiofrequency EMF exposure by a factor of up to 10,000.

"This important study shows the need to keep wireless devices away from the body, especially whenever we encounter areas of weak signal every day, such as when we are in an elevator, in a traveling car, in the basement or interior rooms of a home. Limiting cell phone use in weak signal areas potentially reduces RF EMF exposure by up to a factor of 10,000," stated Devra Davis PhD, MPH, President of Environmental Health Trust.

The study was funded by the California Department of Health when the Department was developing advice to the public about why and how to reduce microwave exposures and was considering listing cell phone radiation as a suspected cause of cancer under Proposition 65, the state's advisory list of suspected cancer causes. California State initially began drafting recommendations on how state workers should reduce cell phone exposure in 2009, and over the years the information was edited into a document for the public rather than workers. A lawsuit by the Environmental Law Clinic of Berkeley Law School [and the First Amendment Project (Moskowitz vs. California Department of Public Health)] resulted in the release of more than 100 pages of CDPH drafts of cell phone guidance, and the final CDPH guidance was finally released to the public soon afterwards in December 2017.

"Using a wired phone, rather than a wireless cell phone whenever possible is the best way to minimize your exposure," stated Theodora Scarato Executive Director of Environmental Health Trust who recommended that at home people should keep their landlines or consider a Voice Over IP (VOIP) phone service if a copper landline is not available in their area. Scarato pointed out that over two hundred scientists have called on the United Nations to take urgent action on this issue due to the current body of evidence and that over a dozen countries have official policies to educate and minimize exposure to the public.

Cell Phones: "The MoH recommends sensible use of cellular and wireless technology, including: considering alternatives like landline telephones" MoH recommendations include: use a speaker or hands-free phone accessory or (non-wireless) personal earphone in order to distance the telephone from the body, reduce the amount and duration of calls, and in areas of weak reception reduce calls because of higher radiation.

Children: MoH recommends: "refraining from installing the base of wireless phones in a bedroom, work room, or children’s room."

Schools: Levels of non-ionizing radiation were measured in 25 schools nation-wide and "based on these findings, the MoEP recommends that students remain at a distance of at least 1.5 meters from electrical cabinets and that use of wireless communication networks in schools be reduced."

Reduce Exposure in Cars: The MoH recommends not using cellphones in closed places like cars or elevators, buses, and trains unless there is an external antenna "due to amplified radiation in such places." "When driving, a hands-free device should be used for calls. It is recommended to install an antenna outside the vehicle and to use a line connection between the telephone and the speaker as opposed to using Bluetooth."

Research: Previous research findings in Israel "clearly indicated a link between cellphone use for more than 10 years and the development of tumors in the salivary glands." Israel is currently a partner in two additional international studies: (1) MOBI-Kids, a multi-center study involving experts from 16 countries who are examining potential associations between use of communication devices and other environmental factors and risk of brain tumors, and (2) the GERoNiMO (Generalised EMF Research using Novel Methods) project, which uses an integrated approach and expertise from 13 countries to further the state of knowledge on EMF and health.

The Report concludes with a chapter by Linda S. Birnbaum, Director of the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program, who states, "Israel is a world leader in research on the health effects of non-ionizing radiation. If some of the studies turn out to be harbingers of things to come, we may have major health consequences from the nearly ubiquitous presence of wireless equipment."

New Public Education Website: The Israeli government launched the public education website TNUDA (http://www.tnuda.org.il) of the National Information Center for Non-Ionizing Radiation <http://www.tnuda.org.il/> to guide the public and decision-makers on the educated use of technology.

Guidelines for the installation and operation of Wi-Fi networks in schools: Following a petition seeking an outright ban on Wi-Fi in Schools, the government is banning Wi-Fi in kindergartens and restricting hours of use in schools, installing equipment with exposures to be set as low as possible, and monitoring radiofrequency (RF) radiation levels.

Government Testing Finds that Mobile Phones Violate Manufacturers’ Reported SAR: In a study conducted by the Ministry for Environmental Protection and the Holon Institute of Technology, the SAR of 10 models of mobile phones was measured using phantoms. The measured SAR exceeded the SAR declared by the manufacturer, when the phone was held close to the head and in bad reception mode (100% of the maximum power).

ELF EMF limits are recommended at numbers far below international limits. These recommendations were set to account for research showing links to leukemia. "The Ministry of Health (MoH) jointly recommend a threshold of two milligauss on an average annual basis when planning an electrical facility or four milligauss on a daily average." A study performed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and by the Education Ministry has found that in more than 60% of the schools in Israel at least one classroom had magnetic fields exceeding 0.4 ?T. Action was taken to reduce exposure in these schools.

Headsets and safety information required with every new mobile phone: According to a settlement agreement accepted by the Tel Aviv-Yafo District Court in February 2014, cellular operators must inform buyers of new mobile phones about the radiation safety instructions as formulated by the manufacturer, provide a hands-free kit with every new mobile phone, and provide information on the safe use of mobile phones on its website.

National radiofrequency monitoring program: The Ministry of Environmental Protection is operating a national RF monitoring system with stations that continuously measure the entire range of RF and transmit the data to a central computer that analyzes and displays online the results of measurements <http://www.monitem.co.il/gmap/index.html> .

European Parliament: March 12th, 2012 Written declaration on the recognition of multiple chemical sensitivity and electrohypersensitivity in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD)

The recommendation includes not only ICDs – also Lists of Occupational Diseases.Pdf is attached, or read text pasted here below the dashed line, or read at the EP website:http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=WDECL&reference=P7-DCL-2012-0014&format=PDF&language=EN

Note: This is a Declaration submitted by 5 Members of European Parliament (MEPs, and 5 is the maximum number permitted for initial submission). There is a 3-month period (until June 14th, 2012) during which Members of European Parliament can sign on (for required majority).

All MEP information is easily accessible at:http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/performsearch.htmlOn the search page simply select a country and click the “Show Result” button (at the righthand side), then on the Results list naming each representative click on each person to see their interests, background, contact details, etc.

Probably this is all available at the European Parliament website in other languages — I don’t know how to accomplish this. Their main homepage to select which language to proceed in is here:http://www.europarl.europa.eu/_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

WRITTEN DECLARATIONpursuant to Rule 123 of the Rules of Procedure on the recognition of multiple chemical sensitivity and electrohypersensitivity in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD)

Written declaration on the recognition of multiple chemical sensitivity and electrohypersensitivity in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD)

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its resolution of 4 September 2008 on the mid-term review of theEuropean Environment and Health Action Plan 2004-2010, particularly recital J thereof,

– having regard to Decision 1350/2007/EC establishing a second programme of Communityaction in the field of health (2008-2013), and the White Paper ‘Together for Health’(COM(2007)0630),

– having regard to its resolution of 2April 2009 on health concerns associated withelectromagnetic fields,

– having regard to Rule 123 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas health inequalities between different European countries should be eradicated;

B. whereas multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) patients are vulnerable to environmentalpollution and electrohypersensitivity (EHS) patients to electromagnetic radiation, bothinvolving serious risks in several areas over which they have no influence, such as the airthey breathe and exposure to EM radiation;

1. Recommends that Member States which have not yet done so include MCS and EHS intheir own ICDs and in their ILO-based Lists of Occupational Diseases; suggests that theWHO Assembly include MCS and EHS in its upcoming ICD-11;

2. Urges Member State governments to apply existing rules regarding EM radiation andexposure to harmful substances and to apply the precautionary principle strictly, witheffective health and environmental measures, in order to immediately protect thoseaffected, whose number is growing exponentially;

3. Suggests harmonising the rules on physical agents and harmful substances in the MemberStates, on the basis of the strictest existing criteria, and also placing controls on importedproducts;

4. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of thesignatories, to the Council, the Commission and the parliaments of the Member States.

A new scientific article on cellphone safety indicates that children absorb twice as much microwave radiation from phones than adults do.OTTAWA - Kids' brains absorb twice as much cellphone radiation than adults, according to a new scientific report published in a medical journal and released exclusively to QMI Agency. A new scientific article on cellphone safety was published Monday in the journal, Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine.
According to the report, children absorb twice as much microwave radiation from phones than adults do and cellphones carried in shirt or pant pockets exceed guidelines set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which determines exposure guidelines in the United States.
The paper was written by three team members at Environmental Health Trust (EHT) - a group of health professionals who educate people on environmental contaminants.
The release of this scientific report comes just after Health Canada issued new advice to parents this month about cellphones.

The national health agency said parents should "encourage" but not "urge" kids under 18 years of age to cap cellphone use.

"It's a welcomed step," EHT's president Devra Davis said. "They can certainly go further to provide more protection to the most vulnerable."
In May, the World Health Organization classified all radiation emitted by wireless devices as possibly carcinogenic, but Health Canada says there is no immediate cause for concern about cellphone safety.
The health agency has maintained the science behind the classification was "inconclusive" and more research is needed.
Scientists believe children are particularly at risk to this form of radiation because their bodies are smaller and their skulls are thinner.Kristy.Kirkup@sunmedia.ca